By Lissy Maruthanakuzhy
Trichur, Jan 4, 2023: The Archdiocese of Trichur together with the general public has organized the annual Buon Natale (Merry Christmas) presenting nearly 15,000 Santa Clauses, or Christmas Papas.
The colorful and joyful program showed Santa, irrespective of age, dancing, walking, roller skating and on wheelchairs. More than 500,000 people watched the procession that started from St Thomas Ground before returning to the same ground after four hours.
The dancers came from 93 parishes of the archdiocese. “From my parish, Arimpoor, 400 dancers participated,” said Father Ajit Chittilappily, who was seen dancing in the process in Santa dress.
“The choreography of the dance on a video was sent to all parishes. We practiced for a week before the event,” he added.
Archbishop Andrews Thazhath of Trichur and the city mayor are the patrons of the program.
The procession also had 15 floats. The lead float was number 10 identifying the number of years since the start of the first procession.
Three cultures of Trichur – Hindu, Christian and Muslim – were presented by an equal number of people from each religion.
A float depicted a major issue haunting Kerala – the Mullaperiyar Dam, built in the late 19th century on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. Some experts warn the dam could burst, bringing untold miseries to people living in five districts downstream.
Another float showed the members of the city cleaning group who clean up after every such program.
The brain child of Archbishop Thazhath, the program began in 2013, with the aim of raising funds for charity. The fund is raised by the contributions from various Catholic religious congregations, the archdiocese, business people and the government.
Every year the archdiocese builds houses or provides a piece of land for the homeless.
“This year we have started building one house and we are giving 15-cent land to 15 people,” said Father Geo Cheradai, working chairman of the program.
Father Cheradai, who was ordained eight years ago, began organizing the procession six years ago.
He said it took eight months to give shape to the idea, and the physical preparation about 2.5 months.
The preparatory team included 38 priests, 270 coordinators,100 central teams, and 1,000 volunteers.
During Covid times–2020-2021—the program was held on stage to ensure continuity.